The Airbus A320, called 'Green Spirit', has been painted and branded specially following the recent accouncement of a partnership deal between the airline and the IRFU.

The aircraft will go into service for use in short haul flights from tomorrow. It has also been given the hash tag #GreenSpirit and the airline is encouraging anyone who sees the aircraft or fly on it to use it on social media sites.

A second plane is also due to be painted in IRFU livery.

Four Irish players, one from each province, have also been recruited as 'Aer Lingus Brand Ambassadors'.

Passengers will now be able to see stars Tommy Bowe, Rob Kearney, Robbie Henshaw and Conor Murray perform the onboard safety demonstration on flights to and from the US in a video to be filmed next week.

Aer Lingus CEO Stephen Kavanagh said the partnership with the IRFU "forms part of a wider repositioning" of the airline's brand".